New Regional Aboriginal Specialist Program Surpassing Expectations

AtBC and TOTA agree that partnership is a model for other tourism regions around the world, not just BC

Presenting at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association’s (TOTA) board retreat in Westbank on March 15, 2016, directors and TOTA staff were provided a private overview of AtBC’s new corporate plan which is aiming high to get more Aboriginal communities involved in tourism. Major progress is being made in the region thanks to a partnership between TOTA and AtBC that hired and charged a regional Aboriginal specialist with involving the Nlaka’pamux (Thompson), Secwepemc (Shuswap), and Syilx (Okanagan) nations to develop economic opportunities and further Aboriginal tourism business within the region. Watching the inroads and progress being made with this grassroots approach has tourism leaders inside and outside the tourism region calling for the Regional Aboriginal Specialist Program to be expanded to other tourism regions in BC.

AtBC and TOTA President and CEO Glenn Mandziuk met with Sncewips Heritage Museum staff in Westbank to learn more about the living culture and history of the Syilx nation.